Everyone who reads this post should check out the Pheasants Forever link, this topic is more important than it may appear.

Maybe F&S should cover this more then. I'm familiar with CRP but here in Ga if anything there was less land in tillage this year (at least what I see). How am I supposed to know about what goes on somewhere else if I live 20 hrs. of driving away?

Why should the government give more to fund CRP for you or I when they have ACORN, Cash for Clunkers, and a zillion other entitlements and scams to fund????

This (CRP)is another example of an underfunded program that at least has some merit.

Chadlove where I'm from that's called baiting and it's illegal (feeding deer).
Anyways, There is alot of overlooked practices in conservation improvements and watershede improvements:
Controlled burns, Native plants / trees instead of food plots, Predators, in the case of deer effective doe management select cutting forrest or wood lots.
Involves time and effort and the help of agencies like DU, PF, NWTF, USDA, DGIF/DNR and Forrestry Service as well as Farmers.

Conservation Easements should be also incorporated into that equation. Almost Everyone likes tax breaks.

I totally agree with plainsman. I heard first had reports from close friends who went out to South Dakota pheasant hunting. Due to the less CRP land there was a lot less birds than in past years.

I should add that the next government contradiction and subsidy sink is "carbon sequestration" which is already laying base in some of the Great Plains states. On the one hand, this might be good for preserving and protecting habitat. On the other hand, it presents the same contradiction in the execution of government mandated goals as CRP/biofuels does. And of course, carbon sequestration will have to be subsidized because it can't support itself. It is an answer to a problem that humans don't have any real control over, i.e., climate change. The carbon traders are moving quickly to create a carbon market - which of course in a few years down the road, will become the carbon bubble that will burst and probably leave many Americans with gaping holes in their financial pocketbooks. Farmers who sign up for these programs would do well to watch them closely and get out before the inevitable crash occurs.
And more sad truth pile on top of other sad truths. Our battle as hunters and fisherman to create and preserve open and plentiful hunting/fishing opportunities for ourselves and our kids, becomes increaingly difficult.

PA considers it illegal to put a pile of food out for Deer or any animal that's hunted, but if you plant a field of corn, soy, clover, whatever it's legal to hunt that. Because it's considered a crop, not bait. Go Figure.

The CRP program has done wonders for rehabilitating wildlife populations and provide hunters with prime hunting land. I am in full support of the program and though it is not perfect it should not be ditched by the USDA. I think our own government has turned its back on the CRP program though by enticing farmers with high corn prices to feed the ethanol plants. To be honest why would anyone want to buy cheaper fuel that gives you way less gas millage and produces just as much toxins from the exhaust. Sure ethanol blends use less petroleum, but as the more frequently you fuel up are you really saving anything. What ever whack job told the American Public about how great this "BIO"fuel should have there neck wrung because it is producing negative affects for the biodiversity in Americas heartland as more and more farmers are ripping their CRP out of the program and back into corn fields to feed the ethanol sensation and destroy the only habitat for many wildlife species. People can be too easily be manipulated by making something bad sound good by adding "BIO" or "ECO" to the beginning of a word. We have really gotten our priorities mixed up. Saving the planet and our ecosystems should be about protecting wildlife, providing habitat, and preserving nature, NOT buying cheaper fuel to decrease our dependence on foreign oil. All everyone is seeing is $$ and if the USDA has to shell out some extra cash to keep farmers in the CRP program then I'm all for it. I don't care if my taxes go up for it at least its for a good cause and where it is actually needed. I would rather see my money go there then line the pockets of the fuel companies or into the welfare system to feed lazy people who refuse to get jobs.